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Another question about playing the bass clarinet

Author: beth
Date: 2001-07-05 15:22

I LOVE THIS INSTRUMENT! the lower register is really a kick. I've always played 3rd/4th on my soprano because I lower the lower registers on the clarinet. Thanks for all the advice, it's been really, really helpful. I'm looking into getting a new mp and ligature for it also. Also balancing the bass with the peg was driving me nuts, so I use my soprano case in it's place.

All my band director friends are out of town, now that the 4th is over, and I have another question maybe y'all can help me with.

I have absolutly no problem playing the lower register on the bass. (love it, want to stay down there forever, but alas, the music calls for upper register.) My problem is I can't play anything above b flat. That's the b flat above the middle C (C 4). Once in a great while I do get some of the upper notes, but I can't figure out what I've done right to get them. Any help is appreciated. TIA beth

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-07-05 15:39

First, a question: Does your bass have an altissimo vent hole on the l.h. index finger key, or is it an old instument that lacks that feature?
To play high on the bass clarinet, in general, you have to open your throat and mouth cavity WAY up, use lots more air pressure (not volume, but pressure) and keep your embouchure very steady (don't clamp down hard, but set the embouchure and don't let it shift around).
A very real possibility is that your instrument is out of adjustment, especially in the register mechanism somewhere. Has a good tech checked out your instrument?

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: beth
Date: 2001-07-06 03:38

Dave, this instrument is brand spankin new; I'm the first person to play it (scary thought, isn't). So new, that I was unwrapping pieces packaged in factory wrapping.

I checked the body and it does have an altissimo vent hole on the l.h. index finger key. What's the significance of this? The techie who checks out my instruments is out of town for the next couple of weeks. So I'll need to find someone else if your suggestions don't work. I'll try again in the morning.

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: willie
Date: 2001-07-06 05:26

Sounds like a leak. Maybe have the register key mechanism checked out by your tech. It just may out of adjustment.

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: Jenny
Date: 2001-07-06 07:32

you may also need a new nouthpeice and reed strengh. That can really make a difference. E-mail me for suggestions.

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2001-07-06 13:43

If balancing it on the peg drives you nuts, try using both the peg and neckstrap.

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: beth
Date: 2001-07-06 19:20

I was using the neckstrap along with the peg. The instrument just didn't feel balanced and comfortable. My daughter informed me alot of the kids, she knows, used their soprano cases to balance their basses. Actually they try to get her to fork over her oboe case (its slimmer than a clarinet case) but she refuses to give it up. So I tried it and it works. I'll keep at the peg and I know the feel will come. I'm looking for someone to give this instrument a "once-over" just to make sure it's not me that can't play the clarion register. :-) beth

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-07-06 21:22

Beth, I know it's not your horn and there is not much you can do, but check your position and see if you are not too "slanted" with the bell too far under your chair. Dave S... rebuilt my neck for me, rather along the lines of the Bay necks and I sit more upright with the horn firmly straight up and down and the natural placement of the mouthpiece not allows me to apply equal pressure for those missing notes. Get your kids to buy you a Bay neck for Christmas, or have Dave S...make you one.
Bob A

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RE: Another question about playing the bass clarin

Author: beth
Date: 2001-07-07 21:55

Thanks four your help. I figured out what I wasn't doing and now I can get the clarion register; it ain't pretty though. I have to shift my left hand till it's almost at a 90 degree angle from the body of the clarinet and that gets me in the postion to play that register. Again thanks for y'alls help.

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